:)

the elevator door opened, and renaud spun on his heels, not expecting anyone to have stopped by, given very few have been told the access code. in the doorway stood a thin woman, with curly golden blonde hair and the softest yet unnerving smile. her clothes seemed to be a bit oversized. renaud was, quite frankly, horribly shocked.

"...dollie???"

she stepped out of the elevator towards him, nodding.

"thats me darlin! im here to tell ya somethin."

"arent you-"

"dead? well, sure i am! at least, my real body is. ya see, im appreciatin any time i get to be here. bein alive is so wonderful! dont you share the sentiment, renaud?"

"i-," he turned around, looking back at his current experiment. a human cadaver, neatly cut open, blood covering the operation table. still working on bunnys request, his long standing project, though conducting...other research as well.

"i- i suppose,"

she stepped closer, renaud backing up against the table.

"i know you do, dear. its been ten years, and yer still tryin to help me! i just..." she looked away shyly, still smiling as she playfully twirled her dress. "i wish you were there fer bunny."

"im...im sorry?"

"ya should be! this ol girl up here," dollie tapped her head with her index finger, still smiling at renaud, "shes got some serious issues! and where were you when she was actively tryin t' recover from my death?"

renaud looked confused, his ears back in the only fear he showed.

"i...was off-"

"offerin solutions?" dollie spoke at the same time as him. "teachin her necromancy, doin yer dirty work? you couldnt have ever given her a normal life."

while renaud seemed to be cowering next to dollie, she was unnervingly calm, not even raising her voice, but renaud couldnt look away. she got closer, and renaud couldnt bring himself to react, just staring at her wide eyed.

"you will never be good enough for her."

"w-what?"

tears ran down renauds face, otherwise not noticeably crying, but dollie did notice. she doesnt need to see someones reaction to feel their inner turmoil. she got closer, making direct eye contact, putting her hands on his shoulders and digging her nails in.

"you were never a good father...or rather, a substitute for one. yer never there for her."

she moved to hug him, leaning in to whisper in his ear,

"you will never be good enough."

dollie stood holding him, nuzzling him softly, though he was shaking, staring off beyond her. if he couldnt be perfect he had to be good enough. he had to be. so he figured, maybe...he could try harder. for bunny...and dollie turned to whisper again.

"thats it darlin, do better. i know yer capable of it, im just not sure why you havent been doin better."

renaud felt an urge to wrap his arms around her, hugging back, and so he did.

"i...i dont know. i never really-"

"considered her worth yer time? yer empathy, or compassion? tsk tsk, after all shes done fer you? yer better than this, dear."

"i know. i know."

dollie pulled away, smiling at his tear streaked face.

"so do better. and if you dont, well, ill know darlin. and i dont think you want me t' come back fer you."

she said with a finality renaud didnt know how to respond to, only watching her as she gave him a big smile, turning around and skipping back to the elevator.

"bye now!"

she said waving, renaud sliding to the floor once the door closed.

"what the fuck?"